PLANE AND CONVEX MIRROR SIZES FOR SMALL TO LARGE TRUCKS; PREDICTIONS FROM TRUCK CHARACTERISTICS

An analysis was made of the relationship among Cab dimensions and other characteristics of a sample of 28 U.S. trucks and the sizes of plane and 20 inch convex mirrors needed to view proposed ground and vertical FMVSS 111 indirect field of view targets. The purpose was to determine if 1) mirror size could be predicted from one or at most a few truck dimensions and 2) a few mirror sizes could be identified as providing an adequate FOV for a broad range of trucks classified on that dimension or dimensions. Truck Eye-Height above ground was found to be the best single predictor of mirror sizes and additional dimensions did not improve predictions. Scatter plots showing the relation between Eye-Height and mirror sizes are presented. Equations for selecting plane and convex mirror height and width based upon truck Eye-Height were derived. They provide a simple method for selecting necessary mirror sizes and for verification of their adequacy with regard to FMVSS 111 indirect FOV targets.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Vector Enterprises Incorporated

    1550 Seventeenth Street, Vector Research Division
    Santa Monica, CA  United States  90404

    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • BURGER, W J
    • Mulholland, M U
  • Publication Date: 1982-4

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 72 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00394327
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: VR 82-2 Final Rpt., HS-806 677
  • Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-7-01721
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM